Held Sambia Pro Gloves Review

With summer weather beckoning, we need lightweight motorcycle gloves that can still safeguard our hands when temperatures climb.

But can you find a pair of riding gloves under $200 that check all the boxes in terms of quality, comfort, breathability, and protection?

But, the main question I will answer in this review will be: Are these the best motorcycle gloves for the summer for you?

Let’s examine if the new Held Zambia Pro gloves can truly shield hands without the heat.

Held Sambia Pro Gloves Review

Key Takeaways

• Lightweight

• Breathable

• Premium Build Quality

Table of Contents

A Lightweight Glove Built for Warmer Weather

The Sambia Pro gloves from Held are designed specifically for warmer-weather motorcycle riding. The gloves feature a lightweight polyester outer shell with perforations and exhaust vents to allow ample airflow.

Despite the ventilation, Held didn’t skimp on safety by including goat leather surrounds on the knuckles backed by Knox Microlock foam padding. There are also additional TPU sliders on the outer wrist and fingers.

The combination of materials provides an exceptional balance of flexibility, protection, and breathability.

This makes the Sambia Pro a great choice for commuters, tourers, and sport riders needing minimalist summer gloves (1) without giving up critical impact defenses.

Held Men’s Gloves Sizing

SIZE

HAND CIRCUMFERENCE (IN)

REGULAR HAND LENGTH (IN)

LONG HAND LENGTH (IN)

SHORT HAND LENGTH

3

2.9

5

–

–

4

3.9

5.4

–

–

5

5

5.9

–

–

6

6

6.3

–

–

6.5

6.5

6.5

–

–

7

7

6.7

7

16.6

7.5

7.5

7

–

–

8

8

7.2

7.4

17.7

8.5

8.5

7.4

–

–

9

9

7.6

7.8

18.7

9.5

9.5

7.8

–

–

10

10

8

8.2

19.9

11

11

8.5

8.7

21

12

12

8.9

9.1

22.1

13

13

9.3

–

–

14

13.9

9.8

–

–

Unparalleled Comfort with Kangaroo Leather Palms

Held understands that supreme comfort is vital for an enjoyable riding experience. That’s why the company equipped the Sambia Pro gloves with kangaroo leather palm inserts.

The kangaroo leather offers an amazing feel and dexterity when operating controls. It also withstands abrasion extremely well in case of a slide.

Furthermore, the palms incorporate anti-slip silicone grippers to ensure a secure hold on the bars even in wet conditions.

For those longer hauls, the Sambia Pro gloves remain refreshingly comfy. Touches like pull loops for easy removal and touchscreen capability on the thumb and index finger make these gloves a pleasure to wear all day long.

Air Flow That Keeps Hands Cool and Dry

In addition to the ventilated mesh-polyester overlay, Held laser cuts the goat leather knuckle armor for enhanced airflow. This prevents the gloves from becoming oppressively hot on those 90°F summer days.

Strategically placed exhaust vents encourage constant airflow while special perforations on the gauntlet aid moisture wicking. Furthermore, the spandex finger gussets and Lycra wrist help prevent sweating by adapting to hand movement.

There’s nothing worse than a pair of riding gloves that leave your hands uncomfortably soggy. Fortunately, the innovative venting system on the Sambia Pro gloves does an admirable job of combating heat and sweat buildup inside the gloves.

Superb Adjustability for Optimized Fit

Anatomically, pre-curved fingers and ergonomic palm contours deliver a natural feel when gripping the bars. This thoughtful engineering reduces hand fatigue, allowing you to ride for longer.

Velcro wrist enclosures and stretch Lycra panels ensure easy adaptability for different hand shapes. I found the Sambia Pro gloves suitable for hand circumferences spanning 8 inches to over 9 inches.

Held also provides the Sambia Pro gloves in regular or long cuff options. The long gauntlet style procures additional protection for the wrist, while the short cuff promotes freedom of movement. Either way, you’re assured of zero restrictions from the flexible design.

Comparison To Other Summer Glove

Product Name

Description of Features

Reax Superfly Mesh Gloves

Ventilated mesh construction, Touchscreen compatible fingertips, Pre-curved design

Bilt Spirit 3 Gloves

Full-grain goatskin leather, Armortex reinforced palm, Elastic wrist with hook-loop closure

Alpinestars GP Air Gloves

Full-grain goatskin leather, Armortex reinforced palm, Elastic wrist with hook-loop closure.

The Held Zambia Pro gloves stand out for their kangaroo leather palm inserts which provide excellent feel and abrasion resistance. They also have more ventilation compared to the Reax and Bilt gloves. However, the Alpi

The Final Verdict

The Held Sambia Pro gloves excel at fusing street protection with unmatched ventilation and comfort. While not an outright track glove, they supply ample shielding for daily commuting needs and moderate canyon carving.

Considering the premium materials and construction quality, I feel the Sambia Pros are well worth their $150 MSRP. They’ll see you through endless miles of summer riding while keeping your hands guarded and sweat-free.

So, if you’re seeking a versatile short-cuff glove that’s protective, durable, and airflow-friendly, the Held Sambia Pros totally deliver. Their unmatched comfort advantages also make them suitable for longer sports touring journeys.

What’s your favorite pair of lightweight summer motorcycle gloves? I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments below!